ATHENS, AL, April 28, 2025 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Rodney M. Wheeler, ISE, has been selected for inclusion in Marquis Who's Who. As in all Marquis Who's Who biographical volumes, individuals profiled are selected on the basis of current reference value. Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility, and prominence in a field are all taken into account during the selection process.

Mr. Wheeler is a distinguished expert in systems engineering, currently serving as the principal model-based systems engineer and architecture analytics project lead at MITRE in Huntsville, Alabama. Since 2019, he has utilized his expertise in model-based systems engineering software to advise and initiate projects, ensuring their success through his strategic guidance.

Before joining MITRE, Mr. Wheeler was a principal systems engineer at Information Exchange Systems Inc. from 1994 to 2019. He also concurrently served as a systems engineering manager and INCOSE CAB representative at KBRwyle from 2013 to 2017, where he played a pivotal role in leading teams and managing complex engineering projects. His tenure at Wyle from 2010 to 2017 as a systems engineer and model-based systems engineering lead for Army Program Executive Office for Missiles and Space furthering his career after his Army ACAT I project passed Milestone A and Milestone B using systems engineering model based methodology and did not receive any critical comments from Office of Secretary Defense or other stakeholders.

Mr. Wheeler's early career includes his role at SAIC from 2004 to 2007, where he contributed to requirements, modeling and risk management for NASA solidified his reputation as a leader in the industry after receiving a Systems Engineering Team recognition award from NASA Administrator Griffin/Bolden for the team's work in digital engineering transformation across all NASA Centers.

Prior to that, he worked as a senior systems engineer at COLSA for the preceding 15 years. Around the same time, he also owned Rock Divers Inc., serving as a NAUI instructor and trainer. His foundational roles include engineering at both Applied Research Inc. and Teledyne Brown Engineering.

Throughout his career, Mr. Wheeler has been recognized for his innovative spirit and dedication to progress. Notably, during his time at NASA, he trained teams to adopt electronic workflows, significantly improving data utilization and reducing reliance on paper processes. As a consultant for PEO Missiles and Space through his own corporation, he established a successful pilot for the Model-Based Systems Engineering team, under the guidance of Mr. Pat Dugan, Cruise Missiles Defense Systems Engineering Director, for Program Executive Office Missiles and Space that achieved milestones not realized in four decades.

Mr. Wheeler began his career at Teledyne Brown Engineering, reverse-engineering Soviet equipment under the supervision of Waylon Spurgeon, P.E., and Dr. Haeussermann, a member of Wernher von Braun's NASA team leads responsible for missile advancements. He later installed missile systems in Egypt and contributed to high-stakes defense projects. He is also proud of assisting the U.S. Marine Corps in developing mission command architectures for critical system deployment and maintenance.

Mr. Wheeler's educational background includes a Bachelor of Science in Engineering in industrial and systems engineering from The University of Alabama in Huntsville, completed in 1982. He is proud of having financed first his now ex-wife's, and then his education by working as a pan sitter, AFL/CIO shop steward and then as the production manager supervising 200 employees at Sunbeam Bakery, before transitioning to a CO-OP programmer role, a skill he obtained at his father's encouragement from his work at NASA. Mr. Wheeler also pursued continuing education in systems engineering studies at the same institution. His academic achievements have been instrumental in shaping his career, providing him with the knowledge and skills necessary for success in the field of systems engineering.

Beyond his professional accomplishments, Mr. Wheeler is actively involved in civic associations, such as the AL-TN Trail of Tears Corridor Association Inc. where he was a founder and has held various leadership roles since 1994. Mr. Wheeler also established the Alabama Chapter of the National Trail of Tears Association and held the position of president for several years. Mr. Wheeler was a charter member of the Huntsville Chapter of the International Council of Systems Engineers and has served as president and multiple board of director positions. As a member of the Institute of Industrial Systems Engineers, he held the position of vice president of the student chapter and later held the role of president of the IISE Huntsville chapter. He is a member of the Association of Old Crows and Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers. He has been recognized with awards from community organizations for both his Trail of Tears and National Association of Underwater Instructors contributions. Overall, he acknowledges that much of his success is a result of his family's influence, the value he gained from his mentors and his summers at his grandfather's and later his uncle's farm. His appreciation and understanding of nature was enhanced as a member of the United Cherokee Ani-Yun-WiYa Nation and elected to the position of Council of Elders. Mr. Wheeler is a long-time member of the Catholic Church and 30 plus year member of Alcoholics Anonymous where he sponsors those who want to try a different lifestyle.

In his personal life, Mr. Wheeler enjoys motorcycle riding, shooting, fishing, hunting and spending time with his family, including his three children. Looking ahead, he envisions continuing his work at MITRE, where he is involved in groundbreaking projects incorporating artificial intelligence and advanced operations research. His passion for technology and its rapid evolution continues to drive him forward in his career pursuits.

About Marquis Who's Who®:
Since 1899, when A. N. Marquis printed the First Edition of Who's Who in America®, Marquis Who's Who® has chronicled the lives of the most accomplished individuals and innovators from every significant field of endeavor, including politics, business, medicine, law, education, art, religion and entertainment. Who's Who in America® remains an essential biographical source for thousands of researchers, journalists, librarians and executive search firms around the world. The suite of Marquis® publications can be viewed at the official Marquis Who's Who® website, www.marquiswhoswho.com.

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